“I’d been on Twitter almost from the start – so early that when the journalists started showing up, an old BBC colleague got me to write him a “beginner’s guide” – but none of my tweets ever went viral. We all have our gifts, and I had friends who knew how to tickle the internet where it likes to be tickled, but that wasn’t one of mine.”
…some days I try to imagine various Saints and holy people desperate and dopamine addicted sweating at the keyboard trying to go viral and in doing so skipping over everything that needs to be said.
Really great article. As someone moving towards the uncertainly of trying to make a something of a living online, I try to keep telling myself to create what I would want to see and engage with. What's vital, relevant and entertaining, should be created without the inauthentic neediness of forced virality.
"Spreads at the speed of trust"...how beautifully expressed. I'm going to be traveling and with a very full schedule during the time of your next course (my daughter is getting married in Belgium on May 25, and I'm flying in from being with Charles Eisenstein at his retreat in North Carolina to get there!), and still, I'm in. I'll miss the first session and hope to be live for the rest. Tack så mycket and see you soon <3
It's a sideways leap but I think you might enjoy this, Dougald- I was reminded of Richard Thompson on the Folk on Foot podcast I listened to yesterday- when asked whether he had found the lockdowns creatively fruitful, he said something like "It takes a virus to inspire us!" https://www.folkonfoot.com/episodes/richard-thompson-in-muswell-hill-(and-other-parts-of-london)
“I’d been on Twitter almost from the start – so early that when the journalists started showing up, an old BBC colleague got me to write him a “beginner’s guide” – but none of my tweets ever went viral. We all have our gifts, and I had friends who knew how to tickle the internet where it likes to be tickled, but that wasn’t one of mine.”
…some days I try to imagine various Saints and holy people desperate and dopamine addicted sweating at the keyboard trying to go viral and in doing so skipping over everything that needs to be said.
Bless you and your non-virality!
Really great article. As someone moving towards the uncertainly of trying to make a something of a living online, I try to keep telling myself to create what I would want to see and engage with. What's vital, relevant and entertaining, should be created without the inauthentic neediness of forced virality.
What helpful thoughts. Thank you. Good to be reminded of the beauty and integrity of staying connected to the heart of whatever I'm doing.
"Spreads at the speed of trust"...how beautifully expressed. I'm going to be traveling and with a very full schedule during the time of your next course (my daughter is getting married in Belgium on May 25, and I'm flying in from being with Charles Eisenstein at his retreat in North Carolina to get there!), and still, I'm in. I'll miss the first session and hope to be live for the rest. Tack så mycket and see you soon <3